ARIZONA FOOTBALL

Wildcats fall after tying game against USC in 3rd quarter with 75-yard TD

Nov 14, 2020, 4:53 PM | Updated: 6:00 pm

Quarterback Grant Gunnell #17 of the Arizona Wildcats throws a pass during the first half of the Pa...

Quarterback Grant Gunnell #17 of the Arizona Wildcats throws a pass during the first half of the Pac-12 football game against the USC Trojans at Arizona Stadium on November 14, 2020 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

In the first football game for the University of Arizona in 350 days, the Wildcats held their own in a 34-30 loss against the No. 20 USC Trojans.

A 75-yard touchdown by wide receiver Tayvian Cunningham in the third quarter brought the team’s season opener to a 20-20 tie.

Cunningham racked up 110 receiving yards, marking a career high for the senior.

The third quarter pass was quarterback Grant Gunnell’s second touchdown pass of three on the day, the first caught by wide receiver Jamarye Joiner in the first quarter.

Gunnell went 24-for-36 with 286 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The sophomore QB also rushed for 40 yards, second-most for the team behind running back Gary Brightwell’s 112 yards.

Arizona kicked a field goal in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but USC quickly responded with a touchdown.

Arizona found the end zone again in the fourth quarter, taking a 30-27 lead on a Gunnell pass to wide receiver Stanley Berryhill III.

USC scored a touchdown to seal the victory with 25 seconds left on the clock. It was the Trojans eighth-straight win against the Wildcats.

This is the second week in a row the Trojans entered a nail-biting fourth quarter against an unranked team. USC was almost upset by Arizona State last week, but came back from a 13-point deficit to score two touchdowns in less than two minutes and claim a 28-27 victory.

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